Walking around San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico

By Glen Bruels
This is part of a series called Chiapas road show
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Today was a free day, so we spent much of it walking around.  I spoke about the city in an earlier post, but thought I would put all of the pictures together.  The days have been warm and the nights cold.  We really loved the hotel here and enjoyed some fine restaurants and good shopping.  We loved strolling through the neighborhoods and markets.  Tomorrow, we head off for Palenque — let the temples begin!

 

One of the courtyards of our hotel. It really kept the city noise down.
One of the courtyards of our hotel. It really kept the city noise down.
One of the little niches at our hotel.
One of the little niches at our hotel.

 

The artisan's market by the Dominican Church -- some hand made, some machine made, some factory made, some Guatemalan -- you can't tell the products without a guide!
The artisan’s market by the Dominican Church — some hand made, some machine made, some factory made, some Guatemalan — you can’t tell the products without a guide!
The Dominican Church, by the artisan market. It is much more ornate than the city's official cathedral. The Dominicans were very active in negotiating the peace between the Zapotistas and the Mexican government.
The Dominican Church, by the artisan market. It is much more ornate than the city’s official cathedral. The Dominicans were very active in negotiating the peace between the Zapotistas and the Mexican government.

 

The ex-monastery that houses the textile museum.
The ex-monastery that houses the textile museum.
A small figure from around 600 AD in the textile museum. There is a lot of evidence that the Meso American peoples actually originated in Asia. The piece shows how noble ladies used to sit -- on their legs, with their hands on their thighs (kinda like the Geisha sit -- coincidence?).
A small figure from around 600 AD in the textile museum. There is a lot of evidence that the Meso American peoples actually originated in Asia. The piece shows how noble ladies used to sit — on their legs, with their hands on their thighs (kinda like the Geisha sit — coincidence?).
Some unbelievably beautiful dresses.
Some unbelievably beautiful dresses.
An example of Mayan weaving. All the colors are from natural sources and they are handmade on lap looms.
An example of Mayan weaving. All the colors are from natural sources and they are handmade on lap looms.
Look at the detail. I would go blind!
Look at the detail. I would go blind!
Still an undercurrent of revolution here
Still an undercurrent of revolution here
This is a close-up of the poster. The dates have to do with the Guatemalan revolution, the Zapatista rebellion, and the 20-year anniversary of the Zapatista rebellion. We tried to find this poster to buy. Nah, not so much...
This is a close-up of the poster. The dates have to do with the Guatemalan revolution, the Zapatista rebellion, and the 20-year anniversary of the Zapatista rebellion. We tried to find this poster to buy. Nah, not so much…
These were pasted all over the main plaza; by the next day, they were all gone!
These were pasted all over the main plaza; by the next day, they were all gone!

 

Not sure about this one. A University of Texas "hook 'em horns?" Pretty cool though.
Not sure about this one. A University of Texas “hook ’em horns?” Pretty cool though.
An ex-Jesuit church and monastery. Many of the churches were abandoned -- whether do to ejection of the orders or taxation during the time of Benito Juarez. They have become schools, hotels, shops, etc.
An ex-Jesuit church and monastery. Many of the churches were abandoned — whether do to ejection of the orders or taxation during the time of Benito Juarez. They have become schools, hotels, shops, etc.
Another church in the hills (yes, you walk up the switchbacks) that is used only on special occasions.
Another church in the hills (yes, you walk up the switchbacks) that is used only on special occasions.

 

The cathedral at night from the main plaza.
The cathedral at night from the main plaza.
Strolling through the market, wanting to take a few photos.
Strolling through the market, wanting to take a few photos.
This is what happens when people don't want their picture taken. I love the lady in the foreground.
This is what happens when people don’t want their picture taken. I love the lady in the foreground.
David bought us this amazing fruit. I can't remember the name, but it tasted like pudding. Yum!
David bought us this amazing fruit. I can’t remember the name, but it tasted like pudding. Yum!
Beans, beans, and more beans!
Beans, beans, and more beans!
Turkeys, and chickens, and ducks, oh my!
Turkeys, and chickens, and ducks, oh my!

 

One of the walking "platzes" -- lots of great shopping and places to eat/drink.
One of the walking “platzes” — lots of great shopping and places to eat/drink.
At the Cacao Museum. Chiapas is one of the first areas to grow Cacao. Once the Spanish came, the priests brought it back to Europe and the rest is history. This was a hot chocolate made of four regional cacao beans, served in a cup that looks like a cacao bean.
At the Cacao Museum. Chiapas is one of the first areas to grow Cacao. Once the Spanish came, the priests brought it back to Europe and the rest is history. This was a hot chocolate made of four regional cacao beans, served in a cup that looks like a cacao bean.
Glen sipping his chocolate, hoping that he won't spill the scalding liquid down his shirt...
Glen sipping his chocolate, hoping that he won’t spill the scalding liquid down his shirt…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This entry was posted in Chiapas, Mexico, Travel
Glen Bruels

I am a traveler and sometimes clay sculptor, following a long career working in consulting. My work allowed me to travel the world extensively and I was hooked. Today, I travel with my wife/best friend to explore new places, meet new people, and learn new things.

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